Massage brush



Aug. 23, 1949. O,-W HOLDEN 2,480,023

MAssAGE BRUSH Filed May 28, 19.48

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IN l 'EN TOR.

Patented Aug. 23, 1949 MAS SAGE :BRUSH Orloff W. Holden, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Knickerbocker Rubber Company, Chicago, Ill., a partnership application May 2s, 194s', semina-29,682 I (ci. 12s-'evi 2 Claims.

This invention relates to massage brushes in general, and in particular it relates to massage brushes such as are used in bath sprays or in liquid applicators for administering skin and scalp treatments.

In a previously known type of massage brush there was provided a rubber base having nubs or fingers projecting therefrom for massaging purposes. The nubs were relatively coarse, and their massaging action was not as stimulating as desired in some cases. For best results in shampooing and rinsing the hair or otherwise treating the scalp, for instance, the nubs should have a certain rmness ltogether with a substantial area of contact, yet be capable of flexing readily at their tips so that a stimulating and thorough massage results.

An object of this invention is to provide a. novel and economical massage brush having the advantageous features just referred to.

A further object is to provide an improved massage brush adapted to be used as a part of 'a bath spray or liquid applicator.

A still further object is to provide an improved massage brush having multiple-tip nubs.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, each nulo of the massage brush has a solid base and a -tip section divided into a number of small fingers which intimately grip the surface to which the brush is `applied and which flex readily as the brush is moved with massaging mo'tion.

The foregoing `and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from a study of the following detailed descripiion in connection with the `accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the massage brush held in the hand of the user;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the massage brush; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The massage brush illustrated in the above views is a typical embodiment of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited `to the precise details shown therein, inasmuch as the same principles could be applied to a variety of other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention as eX- pressed in the appended claims.

For illustrative purposes the invention is shown applied to a portable bath spray which includes a hollow metallic spray head IIJ connected to a ilexible hose or tube I2. The massage brush proper is indicated by the numeral I4 and is formed of suitable resilient material, such as rubber. An annular lip portion I6 of the brush I4 fits over an annular flange I8 of the spray head IIJ and grips the head I0 on all sides thereof. The mouth of the spray head Il) preferably is provided With a concave plate 20 having perforations 22 therein, as shown in Fig. 3. Because of the concavity, the apertures 22 need not be accurately registered with the apertures 24 in the flat base 26 of the massage brush I4, there being sufficient clearance between the plates 22 and the base 26 to afford a pressure chamber for the water.

In accordance with the invention, integral projections or nubs 28 of substantially cylindrical shape extend from the base portion 26 of the brush I4, and at their outer ends these nubs 28 are divided into clusters of small fingers or tips extending away from the solid base portions of the nubs 28. The holes 24 in the base of the massage brush I4 are interspersed between the nubs 28. Water is projected through these holes when the bath spray is in use, and the brush I4 is applied with a massaging motion to the body. The tips 30 flex with the movements of the brush I4 and have a stimulating, pleasant effect upon the skin.

In a commercial model of this invention, the nubs 28 are approximately se inch in diameter, and the tips 30 (which are formed in clusters of iive per nub) are 1% inch or less in diameter. The overall height of each nub 28 is approximately {'-6 inch, including the tips 3i! which occupy about half that length, or slightly less. The resulting article is quite attractive in appearance as well as being highly useful. The multi-tip nubs, in addition to their massaging properties, make the brush very useful in washing the hair. The tips 3! work in between the hair strands and insure thorough cleansing thereof.

While the invention has been illustrated in its application to a bath spray. it may be used equally well in conjunction with a liquid applicator for example, to simultaneously dispense hair tonic and massage the scalp. In this instance the brush I4 would be tted onto the head or cap of a suitable container from which the liquid is dispensed. The brush I4 may also be used for dry massage purposes. This could be done conveniently by unscrewing the spray head I0 from the hose I2 and rubbing the brush I4 on the parts of the body which are to be massaged.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the drawing, there are many other forms which the invention may take Within the purview of the present teachings, and it is intended to cover all such modifications by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A massage brush made of resilient material comprising a base portion, and a plurality of uniformly spaced integral nubs projecting from said base portion, each of said nubs having aresilient solid portion adjoining said base and a resilient mu1tip1e-tip portion extending from said solid portion to provide a plurality of yieldable ngers.

2. In combination with a perforated spray head, a massage brush made of resilient material adapted to be retained on said spray head, said brush comprising a perforated base portion, a plurality of integral resilient nubs projecting REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 785,824 Nicholls Mar. 28, 1905 861,610 Sarver July 30, 1907 2,090,050 Jackson i- Aug. 17, 1937 

